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Gloworm 9a

The
Gloworm

26 September 1994
Volume 2: no. 9a

This is a special issue of the Gloworm designed to introduce individuals to entomology activities and helps.

Many of the
biology/science teachers have assigned insect collections to their
students this year. Early fall is the best time to collect and is an
ideal time for such an assignment. Identification is always a sticky
problem for young people (and their parents). Remember that it
is almost impossible for a novice to identify insects to genus and
species. 4-H rules require identification to Order and common name.
4-H materials are an excellent resource for instruction in making
insect collections and other entomological projects. Full directions
for making insect collections and other projects are available free
in most states to any who want them from any extension office. If
your county office does not have the information, ask them to get it
or write to me and I will mail you a Mississippi Cooperative
Extension Service packet.

The Young Entomologists'
Society (Y.E.S.) is also a good resource from which entomological
items may be obtained. Their address is: Young Entomologists'
Society, 1915 Peggy Pl., Lansing, MI 48910. They have a catalog and
also produce a newsletter! There are also other groups who produce
newsletters or are willing to share their expertise. Most
university/college Biology, Entomology or Zoology Departments also
have resource materials. Some have student clubs or organizations who
would be willing to visit your group and talk about insects. Check
them out!

References:

There are a number of
useful references which can be used to help with insect
identification:

*** THE PETERSON FIELD
GUIDE SERIES: A FIELD GUIDE TO THE INSECTS OF NORTH AMERICA...by
Donald J. Borror and R. E. White

** THE AUDUBON SOCIETY
FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS AND SPIDERS

* THE AUDUBON SOCIETY
FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLIES

* A GOLDEN GUIDE TO
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

I suggest that you use the
Peterson series book . In paperback it is usually available at most
good book stores for about $10.00. The plates in this book are
excellent and easy to use. The Audubon books are a little more
expensive (less than $20.00) and have beautiful plates which are very
helpful. The Golden Guide is a small book , less than $5.00, which is
surprisingly good. Encyclopedias and other reference sets are also
helpful at times.

Correct
Procedures:

Insect collections can be
very beautiful and quite informative. They not only demonstrate the
beauty of insects, but also demonstrate qualities in the collector.
Thus, it is very important that the collection be neat, well
organized and well kept. Please remember to follow the pinning and
label instructions as closely as possible. Insect pins are a must for
any good insect collection. They are available through most extension
offices or at University Book Stores. You can order them direct from
the Y.E.S. - Young Entomologists' Society. Spreading boards, pinning
blocks and other collecting paraphernalia can be easily constructed.
Instructions and ideas for making these items are often included in
the Gloworm.

Workshops:

We conduct a number of
workshops each year. These are really enjoyable and we appreciate
getting to work with people interested in entomology. These workshops
are generally conducted for school classes or 4-H Council or Club
meetings. Volunteer Leader meetings and other gatherings of
interested adults are also places where we regularly conduct
workshops. We enjoy promoting entomological awareness and activity.
In 1994 the MSU Entomology Staff conducted our first annual
Entomology Camp in early June. There were more than 30 campers (aged
10 to 55) who spent a week collecting and learning about insects. We
have set June 4 to 8, 1995 as the dates for our second camp. Teachers
as well as students are welcome to attend. Out of state applications
are also welcome!

4-H
Activities:

Many of the young people
with whom we have worked will be able to show their insect
collections in the various fairs and show days that occur each year.
Entomology project work is also another outstanding way for a young
person to learn about insects. These projects range from IPM (Insect
Pest Management) to using insects as a food source. We will review
many project ideas in the Gloworm throughout
the year. Butterfly gardens, preying mantises as pets, raising mealy
worms for fish food (or people food) and many other projects are
proposed. The 4-H entomology project is a family activity and the
whole family will get involved!

Friends:

Each fall we get reports
of hundreds of pale orange lady beetles congregating on houses,
trying, seemingly, to get inside for a visit. We are beginning to get
reports that the lady beetles are back. These beetles are beneficial
and cause no harm, other than being a nuisance when they congregate
in high numbers. If they show up at your door and you aren't inclined
to let them in, just sweep them up and dump them outside. They are
looking for a place to hibernate. They like leaf litter, underneath
logs or boards, or other protected sites. Perhaps there is an
enterprising young person who could devise a hibernation home for
these introduced friends from Asia. If preserved, they can be very
helpful next spring.

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